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Recycling Medication Bottles

Most of us reading this article take it for granted that our medications are going to come in resealable clean containers. In some parts of the world, however, this is not the case. Medications are distributed in whatever the health care provider or clinic has available (which could be as basic as a scrap of paper).

You can help change this by donating your empty plastic pill bottles to Matthew 25: Ministries, which will then send the containers to areas where they are needed. You can make your efforts go even further by asking your family, church, workplace, or civic groups to take up a collection. If any of the containers are not suitable for this purpose, Matthew 25: Ministries will recycle them to raise funds to cover postage and other expenses.

Prescription and over-the-counter medication bottles are accepted. Bottles should be clean and dry, with a top; don’t forget to cross out or remove your personal information.

Matthew 25: Ministries also accepts medical supplies such as gauze, tape, syringes, etc., and other items that are “redistributed to the poorest of the poor and disaster victims” in the U.S. and forty other countries.

This website is an educational resource. It is not intended to provide medical advice or recommend a course of treatment. You should discuss all issues, ideas, suggestions, etc. with your clinician prior to use. Clinicians in a relevant field have reviewed the medical information; however, the Oley Foundation does not guarantee the accuracy of the information presented, and is not liable if information is incorrect or incomplete. If you have questions please contact Oley staff.

Updated in 2015 with a generous grant from Shire, Inc.

This website was updated in 2015 with a generous grant from Shire, Inc. This website is an educational resource. It is not intended to provide medical advice or recommend a course of treatment. You should discuss all issues, ideas, suggestions, etc. with your clinician prior to use. Clinicians in a relevant field have reviewed the medical information; however, the Oley Foundation does not guarantee the accuracy of the information presented, and is not liable if information is incorrect or incomplete. If you have questions please contact Oley staff.